Vicky Graff Photo
Kyra Elzy’s first two years as Kentucky’s head coach after the unexpected retirement of Matthew Mitchell went well as she led UK to NCAA Tournament berths in 2021 and 2022, the first time any UK head coach had done that in their first two seasons.
Perhaps even more impressive was that UK upset No. 1 South Carolina to win the 2022 SEC Tournament — something the Cats had done just once previously and that was in 1982.
However, the last two years have been miserable for the UK women’s program. Kentucky was only 12-19 in 2022-23 and finished 2-14 in conference play. This season UK is 8-10 and 1-3 in SEC play.
Kentucky was annihilated 98-36 Monday at South Carolina when it lost by 62 points, the biggest margin of victory for South Carolina ever. The score could have been even worse if the Gamecocks had not let up the final five minutes.
It was the lowest-scoring total in Elzy’s four seasons as head coach at Kentucky and second worst SEC defeat ever only behind the 110-38 loss UK suffered to Tennessee in 2001.
“I told our team, ‘They’re the number one team in the country. In order to be the best you’ve got to play the best,’” Elzy said after the game. “I thought we came in ready to compete. With a young team, you’ve got to learn from this. You’ve got to learn and they are the standard. Where we’re trying to be and where we’re trying to get to as a program.”
South Carolina is the standard but UK is not even close to the Gamecocks. In less than two seasons UK has gone from beating South Carolina in the NCAA Tournament to losing by 62 points. South Carolina outrebounded UK 45-31 and held UK to 14 points in the paint.
South Carolina also scored 34 points off 24 UK turnovers while the Cats did not have a point off any of South Carolina’s 14 turnovers.
South Carolina took Ajae Petty, UK’s leading scorer, out of the game. She recently had a 20-rebound outing and had been a double-double machine but she had only two points, five rebounds, one assist, and two steals in 26 minutes. She was 1-for-5 from the field.
UK’s second-leading scorer, Maddie Scherr, went 3-for-19 from the field but often had no choice but to shoot late in the shot clock when teammates either were not open or did not want to shoot.
Saniah Tyler led UK with 13 points but was 5-for-19 from the field.
“Against great teams, we can’t have some of the mistakes that we made,” Elzy said. “But also, we got to learn from this. Have a short-term memory. We’ve got to be able to follow the game plan consistently for the duration of the game.”
What else could she say? Kentucky was totally overmatched and it is not easy to see where UK will win another conference game. If that happens, UK would be 3-29 in SEC play the last two seasons and whether he wants to or not, UK athletics director Mitch Barnhart is going to have to contemplate what is best for the future of the UK women’s program.
The state’s best in-state high school players no longer have UK high on their wish list for college and to compete in the SEC, UK has to have an overall talent upgrade that Elzy might not be able to deliver.
There is not a more likable person than Elzy but coaches are paid to win — or at least be competitive. UK has lost to Austin Peay and Florida Gulf Coast this year. It lost by 43 points to Colorado and 24 points to Cincinnati. Vanderbilt beat UK by 22 points in Rupp Arena.
Barnhart has been silent this year on the UK women’s program. Elzy was his hire and the majority of his hires at UK have worked out well. In the first two years, it looked like Elzy was the right hire but the last two seasons have seen UK become a non-factor in SEC play and something certainly is needed to change that trend.
20 Responses
Haven’t been a fan of Elzy. When all those players lined up to leave UK a year or two ago, that should have been a bid read flag to Barnhart.
I don’t know the problem, but it seems to have a lot to do with the coach and not being able to retain top players.
Theiro should do the trans gender thing and play for the women next year. UK women would win it all! Elzy or no Elzy.
How come this level of reflection hasn’t been directed at Calipari? He has done nothing but lay eggs since the 2015 team. This year’s team has taken him off the hot seat for now but there is still a lot of season left to play.
Cal’s ’20 team was as good as anyone in country… then COVID shutdown. We have two juniors that in top 10 in country…. UK cannot let them go somewhere else…. HIRE A NEW WOMENS COACH… EX JEFF WALZ
She got to ride the best player in the country Rhyne Howard for 2 years.
Much like Cal she simply isn’t a good coach. He has the luxury of riding on the back of multiple great players.
Mitch Barnhart needs to be fired, followed by Elzy, and Cal after we get knocked out the first weekend of the NCAAT again this season.
I think the previous poster meant " after we get knocked the first weekend of the SEC Tourney" because they sure won’t be playing in the NCAAT
That’s what you and UK1996 are hoping for isn’t it. If you want a loser team cheer on Louisville I’m sure they can spare some seats for you and don’t worry about what the cats are doing.
I think you are right Ripper12
I mean after the men’s team gets knocked out the first weekend of the NCAAT again that Cal needs to be fired. We need to get back to winning in March and April instead of June.
I know the womens team won’t be playing in the NCAAT.
I don’t think Cal can win the Sec conference or Sec tournament with young talent,more experienced teams will always top us, until we get players to stay and get better each year!
Barry and uk1996 you two guys are the worst it always cal can’t do this can’t do that and the team want do anything right what coaching have you two ever done O you two should really find a hole to stick your heads in and let us real UK fans cheer them on
If your an example of a REAL UK fan then no wonder the Cats have not won ONE since 2012. REAL Cat fans demand results and should be screaming for Mitch and Cals ouster.
Barnhart needs to go first. Should have been gone along with Joker not even mentioning the Gillespie debacle. Elzy obviously can’t recruit so that ends that discussion.
It’s funny everyone has an opinions. But they probably can’t play the sport or could never coach..
Elzy is no coach. She showed that when Rhyne Howard was camped in the corner and ball never touched her hands
I think ezly needs to be replaced
Everyone who is pushing this subject to the side and blaming Barnhart needs to shut up and see the problem. It’s Elzy!! She can’t recruit and can’t coach. We’re up 18 against Tennessee and lose by 18. Get rid of Elzy. She’s the worst coach ever!!
You have 2 players of the starters that should be playing D1. The rest of the group are NAIA players.
Wonder how Matthew Mitchell’s health is after his brain bleed surgery a while back. Assume he is permanently retired ?
The only way to save this program is to bring back coach Mitchell. Elzy can’t recruit or coach. I used to watch or listen to all of the women’s games. Now I could care less.